Medical nitinol processing transforms raw nickel-titanium alloy into wire, coils, tubes and sheets for medical and dental device manufacturers. We previously covered nitinol's journey from the earth's crust through high-temperature melting crucibles and forging operations to create nitinol ingots and then smaller, more workable shapes such as … [Read more...] about Medical nitinol processing: How NiTi is turned into wire, tubes and sheets for medical devices
Materials
Freudenberg Medical implements VR in training, reduces scrap materials
Freudenberg Medical recently announced it implemented virtual reality training for employees working in catheter production at operations in Ireland and the U.S. The VR training program will help ensure employees have the necessary skills to meet the high-quality standards in catheter manufacturing for customers worldwide, according to the … [Read more...] about Freudenberg Medical implements VR in training, reduces scrap materials
How Medtronic uses nitinol to improve the structure and effectiveness of heart devices
Tim Laske, VP of research and business development for Medtronic‘s cardiac ablation solutions business, discusses the challenges of designing devices for the heart and explores the properties of nitinol. The heart is often one of the most underappreciated aspects of human anatomy, and its atrial appendages are often overlooked even in cardiac … [Read more...] about How Medtronic uses nitinol to improve the structure and effectiveness of heart devices
Why Affera’s cardiac ablation technology is worth $1B to Medtronic
Affera started in 2014 with a simple goal that paid off when Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) bought the company for up to $1 billion this year. Achieving that goal, however, took some unconventional and sometimes difficult design choices, Affera founder and CEO Doron Harlev said. Newton, Massachusetts–based Affera's system diagnoses, maps and treats … [Read more...] about Why Affera’s cardiac ablation technology is worth $1B to Medtronic
Endosmart partners with Chamfr to provide nitinol components for medical devices
Endosmart today announced it partnered with Chamfr to provide nitinol components for medical devices online. Through the partnership, engineers can order selected nitinol braids, shape-set tubes and wires and grinder wires from Chamfr's website. "Chamfr is giving medical device engineers what they need to quickly drive innovation," Endosmart … [Read more...] about Endosmart partners with Chamfr to provide nitinol components for medical devices
Plastics and medical devices: Changes for safety and cost
The move toward polypropylene and polyethylene in medical devices requires new manufacturing and assembly solutions such as ultrasonic and laser welding. Didier Perret, Emerson Plastics are ubiquitous in medical applications thanks to their light weight, durability and flexibility, among other attributes. However, concern has been increasing … [Read more...] about Plastics and medical devices: Changes for safety and cost
Junkosha boosts production of PTFE liners and FEP-based heat shrink
Junkosha announced today that it plans to double production capacity to meet shortages of PTFE liners and FEP-based heat shrink for catheter manufacturers. Both OEMs and contract manufacturers in the catheter space are stressed from shortages in the global supply of vital components, according to the Japanese maker of sophisticated fluoropolymer … [Read more...] about Junkosha boosts production of PTFE liners and FEP-based heat shrink
XL Precision Technologies plans UK, U.S. expansions
XL Precision Technologies (XL-PT) has announced a major capital investment to expand facilities in the first quarter of 2021. At the primary manufacturing site in Stockton-on-Tees (UK), XL-PT has signed the lease to the adjacent building, which will add 17,400 ft2 of floor space to the existing capacity. Occupancy is expected within three … [Read more...] about XL Precision Technologies plans UK, U.S. expansions
What is the difference between thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers?
by International Polymer Engineering Plastics that are both strong and lightweight improve the safety, performance and convenience of a wide variety of products that we all use every single day. Plastics consist mainly of macromolecules that are processed into molded parts, films, fibers or finished/semi-finished products. The specific … [Read more...] about What is the difference between thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers?
Swiss scientists make ‘micromachines’ for self-deploying stents and more
Researchers in Zurich reported today that they have invented a manufacturing technique to build "micromachines" out of metal and plastic in which these two materials are interlocked as closely as links in a chain. These robots are so tiny that they can maneuver through blood vessels and deliver medications to certain points in the body — a goal … [Read more...] about Swiss scientists make ‘micromachines’ for self-deploying stents and more
